Insect protecting cover and insect shielded bag and container

ABSTRACT

A bug proof bag for containing luggage or other items has a plurality of sides such that the sides are non-porous so as to prevent ingress of bugs into the bag and are smooth so as to offer substantially no harborages to bugs. A zipper in a closed state prevents ingress of bugs into the bag, and the zipper in an opened state permits access to an interior of the bag. The zipper, for example, has a slider and first and second locking strips. The bug proof bag may, if desired, also include a seal that seals ends of the first and second locking strips to the bag.

RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the benefit of Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/013,160 filed on Dec. 12, 2007.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The technical field of the present disclosure relates to a cover and/or bag that shields items such as luggage and clothing against bugs such as bedbugs.

BACKGROUND

Bugs, such as bedbugs, are an increasing problem for travelers. If travelers stay at an establishment, such as a hotel, motel, inn, etc., that has a bug infestation, the travelers' luggage and clothes can become infested with bugs. The infested luggage and clothes, if then brought into other establishments or into the travelers, homes or into contact of the luggage of other travelers, will spread the infestation. Once an area has been infested, the removal of the infestation can be extremely difficult, particularly in the case of bedbugs.

It is desirable to protect items from bug infestation and/or to prevent the spread of bug infestation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of the present invention claimed herein will become more apparent from a detailed consideration of the present disclosure when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of a bug protecting bag;

FIG. 2 is a view showing details of the bag of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of a bug protecting bag; and,

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing still another embodiment of a bug protecting bag.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A bag 10 is shown in FIG. 1 and is arranged to substantially prevent bugs, such as bedbugs, from accessing its interior. Therefore, clothing, luggage, and/or other items stored in the bag 10 by a person visiting or occupying an establishment, such as a home, hospital, hotel, motel, inn, etc., is substantially safe from bug infestation.

A user can carry the bag 10 in a folded state to the establishment. Prior to entering the establishment or immediately upon entering the establishment or the user's room in the establishment, the user unfolds the bag 10 from its folded state to the unfolded state shown in FIG. 1. The luggage, clothes, or other items can then be inserted into the bag 10. Alternatively, luggage, clothes, or the like can be inserted into the bag 10 at any other time.

In its unfolded state, the bag 10 as viewed in FIG. 1 has six sides, i.e., a top side 12, a back side 14, a bottom side 16, a front side 18, a right side 20, and a left side 22. Thus, the top side 12 and the bottom side 16 are opposite to one another, the back side 14 and the front side 18 are opposite to one another, and the right side 20 and the left side 22 are opposite to one another.

The bag 10, according to one embodiment, has one or more advantageous features. For example, the bag 10 has a substantially bug-proof exterior with little or no bug harborages, e.g., crevices, seams, openings, or pores, in or through which bugs can hide or lay eggs. The sides 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 of the bag 10, for example, may be fabricated from a suitable wipe-down and/or non-porous material such as Nylon, Polyester, Plastic, Tyvek, or Vinyl, and are, for the most part, smooth, offering few seams or crevices.

In order to minimize seams and crevices, the top side 12, the back side 14, and the bottom side 16 can be made from a first single continuous sheet of material. Similarly, the front side 18, the right side 20, and the left side 22 can be made from a second single continuous sheet of material. These first and second continuous sheets of material are suitably joined so that a first seam 24 is formed between the back side 14 and the right side 20, a second seam 26 is formed between the right side 20 and the bottom side 16, a third seam 28 is formed between the front side 18 and the bottom side 16, a fourth seam (not shown) is formed between the left side 22 and the bottom side 16, and a fifth seam (not shown) is formed between the back side 14 and the left side 22. These first and second continuous sheets of material are joined in any suitable manner so as to form the seams and so as to minimize ingress of bugs. For example, in the case where the sides 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 of the bag 10 are plastic or the like, the above mentioned seams, including the seams 24, 26, and 28, are formed by heat sealing so as to join the first and second continuous sheets of material together to form the bag 10.

However, the bag 10 may be formed by joining any number of pieces together in any suitable manner.

Also, in the case where the sides 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 of the bag 10 are fabricated from a suitable wipe-down material, the bag 10 can be wiped down with a damp cloth that may, if desired, contain a cleanser.

As shown in FIG. 1 and in more detail in FIG. 2, the bag 10 includes a zipper 30 to permit access to the contents of the bag 10. The zipper 30 includes a first locking strip 32 having the usual interlocking teeth and being suitably attached, such as by heat sealing, to edges 34, 36, and 38 of the top side 12. The zipper 30 also includes a second locking strip 40 having interlocking teeth and being suitably attached, such as by heat sealing, to an edge 42 of the right side 20, to an edge 44 of the front side 18, and to an edge (not shown) of the left side 22. The edges 34 and 42 correspond to one another, the edges 36 and 44 correspond to one another, and the edge 38 and the not shown edge of the left side 22 correspond to one another. The zipper 30 further includes a slider 46 that, when slid, causes the interlocking teeth of the first and second locking strips 32 and 40 to mesh and unmesh in known fashion so as to close and open the zipper 30.

The zipper 30, for example, may be an off-the-shelf zipper that clasps and shuts the bag 10 so as to prevent entry/exit of bugs and first stage bug nymph which is smaller than a drop of water. The zipper 30 provides easy access for large objects such as suitcases to be stored and contained with the bag 10.

All of the sides 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 may be transparent or opaque. Alternatively, some of the sides 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 may be transparent while others of the sides 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 may be opaque. Transparency of at some of the sides 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 of the bag 10 permits the contents of the bag 10 to be more easily identified without having to open the bag 10.

As shown in more detail in FIG. 2, at one end of the zipper 30, a lower dust guard or seal member 50 (partially seen through a breakaway 51 in FIG. 2) is suitably attached (such as by heat sealing) to the exteriors of the top side 12 and the right side 20 of the bag 10 near the first seam 24. An upper dust guard or seal member 52 is provided over the lower dust guard 50 so that ends 54 and 56 of the corresponding first and second locking strips 32 and 40 are between the lower and upper dust guards 50 and 52. The lower and upper dust guards 50 and 52 are heat sealed so as to capture and fix the ends 54 and 56 of the corresponding first and second locking strips 32 and 40 between the lower and upper dust guards 50 and 52. In this manner, the ends 54 and 56 of the corresponding first and second locking strips 32 and 40 of the zipper 30 are fixedly attached to the bag 10.

As seen through the breakaway 51, the lower dust guard 50 has a first end 50 a and a second end (not shown) near the first seam 24. Accordingly, the lower dust guard 50 is longer than the upper dust guard 52 to form an overlapping area 60 and a non-overlapping area 62. Moreover, during heat sealing of the lower and upper dust guards 50 and 52, a short pocket 64 is formed between the lower and upper dust guards 50 and 52 and receives the slider 46. Accordingly, as the slider 46 nears the end of the zipper 30 at which the lower and upper dust guards 50 and 52 are located, the slider 46 moves over the portion of the lower dust guard 50 in the non-overlapping area 62 and, at the end of movement, slides into the pocket 64.

Lower and upper dust guards may be similarly provided at the other end of the zipper 30 near the seam between the left side 22 and the back side 14 of the bag 10. Moreover, although only one slider 46 is shown in connection with the zipper 30, a second slider can also be provided for the zipper 30.

As shown in FIG. 1, the bag 10 may be used to cover a suitcase 66 having a pull out handle 68 at one end and wheels (not shown) at the other. The bag 10 shown in FIG. 1 does not permit access to the pull out handle 68 or to the wheels of the suitcase 66. To permit access to the pull out handle 68 and the wheels of the suitcase 66 while the suitcase 66 is covered by a bag, a bag 10′ shown in FIG. 3 can be provided. The bag 10′ is substantially similar to the bag 10, differing only in that a zippered handle access panel 70 is provided in a right side 20′ of the bag 10′ to permit access to the pull out handle 68. A zippered wheel access panel 74 is provided in a left side 22′ of the bag 10′ to permit access to the wheels of the suitcase 66.

The zippered handle access panel 70 includes a zipper 72 similar to the zipper 30 of the bag 10. Lower and upper dust guards similar to the lower and upper dust guards 50 and 52 may be provided at one or the other end or at both ends of the zipper 72. Similarly, the zippered wheel access panel 74 includes a zipper 76 similar to the zipper 30 of the bag 10. Lower and upper dust guards similar to the lower and upper dust guards 50 and 52 may be provided at one or the other end or at both ends of the zipper 76 of the zippered wheel access panel 74.

Thus, during transit of the suitcase 66 contained within the bag 10′, the zipper 72 is unzipped, the zippered handle access panel 70 is open, and the pull out handle 68 of the suitcase 66 extends through the open zippered handle access panel 70 to the exterior of the bag 10′. Similarly, the zipper 76 is unzipped, the zippered wheel access panel 74 is open, and the wheels of the suitcase 66 extend through the open zippered wheel access panel 74 to the exterior of the bag 10′. Accordingly, the suitcase 66 can be moved by use of its pull out handle 68 and its wheels. Once the suitcase 66 arrives at its destination, the pull out handle 68 of the suitcase 66 is pushed into the suitcase 66, the zipper 72 is operated to close the zippered handle access panel 70, and the zipper 76 is operated to close the zippered wheel access panel 74. As a result, the suitcase 66 is now sealed within the bag 10′ against bugs.

Shown in FIG. 4 is a bag 10″ that is configured to store articles within drawers of furniture, under beds, etc. The bag 10″ is likewise arranged to substantially prevent bugs, such as bedbugs, from accessing its interior. In its unfolded state, the bag 10″ has a top side 12″, a back side 14″, a bottom side 16″, a front side 18″, a right side 20″, and a left side 22″. Thus, the top side 12″ and the bottom side 16″ are opposite to one another, the back side 14″ and the front side 18″ are opposite to one another, and the right side 20″ and the left side 22″ are opposite to one another.

The sides of the bag 10″, like the sides of the bags 10 and 10′, provide a substantially bug-proof exterior. The top side 12″, the back side 14″, and the bottom side 16″ can be made from a first single continuous sheet of material, and the front side 18″, the right side 20″, and the left side 22″ can be made from a second single continuous sheet of material. These first and second continuous sheets of material are suitably joined at a first seam 24″, a second seam 26″, a third seam 28″, a fourth seam (not shown) between the left side 22″ and the bottom side 16″, and a fifth seam (not shown) between the back side 14″ and the left side 22″. However, the bag 10″ may be formed by joining any number of pieces together in any suitable manner.

The bag 10″ includes a zipper 30″ to permit access to the contents of the bag 10. The zipper 30″ includes locking stripes similar to the locking strips 32 and 40 of the zipper 30. The zipper 30″ also includes a slider 46″ that, when slid, causes the interlocking teeth of the locking strips of the zipper 30″ to mesh and unmesh in known fashion. Lower and upper dust guards similar to the lower and upper dust guards 50 and 52 may be provided at one or the other end or at both ends of the zipper 30″.

As in the case of the bags 10 and 10′, all of the sides of the bag 10″ may be transparent or opaque, or some of the sides of the bag 10″ may be transparent while others of the sides of the bag 10″ may be opaque. Transparency of at some of the sides of the bag 10″ permits the contents of the bag 10″ to be more easily identified without having to open the bag 10″.

If desired, a cardboard or plastic 3-sided support or possibly spring corner supports can be provided to add rigidity to any of the bags 10, 10′, and 10″ in order to create a corresponding box-like (6-sided) structure for easy insertion of items needing bug-protection.

The bags 10, 10′, and 10″ may be provided in different sizes depending upon the type and size of luggage or other items to be protected or, in the case of the bag 10″, the type and size of the drawer in which the bag 10″ is to be used. The bags 10, 10′, and 10″ may be arranged to contain large, medium, or small suitcases, duffle bags, backpacks, briefcases, purses, clothing, laptop computers, briefcases, etc.

The zippers of the bags 10, 10′, and 10″ may be locking zippers so that not even baby bugs can penetrate. In an embodiment, the bags 10, 10′, and 10″ have no exterior mounted handles or emblems that create harborages. In another embodiment, the zippers are easy-access three-sided zippers for easy access to and placement of items. The bags 10, 10′, and 10″ are durable and can be non-load bearing and tear-resistant.

The bags 10, 10′, and 10″ can provide travel-rated, bug-proof luggage encasements for end-to-end use to prevent travel luggage/bags from bug infestation throughout the whole travel process (i.e., taxi, bus, airplane, train, hotel, cruise) since bugs can enter luggage at an infested building or also by transfer from close proximity to infested luggage or an infested travel vehicle. The bags 10, 10′, and 10″ may be designed to provide single-use or multi-use durability. The user can encase and store any and all items and travel bags at home.

Multiple smaller versions of the bags 10, 10′, and 10″ can be put into a single larger version of the bags 10, 10′, and 10″. The bags 10, 10′, and 10″ can be used to stored items in closets.

The bags 10, 10′, and 10″ substantially prevent the spread of bugs and protects luggage and other items from bedbug infestation. The bags 10, 101, and 10″ can be washed and/or wiped down prior to, during, or following transport.

Modifications of the present invention have been discussed above. Other modifications will occur to those practicing in the art of the present invention. For example, in addition to the bags described above, a garment bag may be provided with a zipper down the front to permit garments to be inserted into and removed from the garment bag. A second zipper can be provided at the top to permit one or more hangers that hold garments within the garment bag to extend from the interior to the exterior of the garment bag so that the garment bag can be hung in a closet by use of the hangers. Alternatively, a hanger can be heat sealed to the top of the garment bag so that the garment bag can be hung in a closet without opening the garment bag and using the hangers inside.

Also, closures other than the zippers described above can be used to open and close the bags. For example, a zip lock type closure could instead or in addition be used. As in the in case of a zipper closure, a zip lock closure has a slider and third and fourth locking strips.

Accordingly, the description of the present invention is to be construed as illustrative only and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the best mode of carrying out the invention. The details may be varied substantially without departing from the spirit of the invention, and the exclusive use of all modifications which are within the scope of the appended claims is reserved. 

1. A bug proof bag comprising: a plurality of sides, wherein the sides are non-porous so as to prevent ingress of bugs into the bag, and wherein the sides are smooth so as to offer substantially no harborages to bugs; a closure having a slider and first and second locking strips, wherein the closure in a closed state prevents ingress of bugs into the bag, and wherein the closure in an opened state permits access to an interior of the bag; and, a seal, wherein the seal seals ends of the first and second locking strips to the bag.
 2. The bug proof bag of claim 1 wherein at least one of the sides is substantially transparent.
 3. The bug proof bag of claim 1 wherein all of the sides is substantially transparent.
 4. The bug proof bag of claim 1 wherein the seal comprises first and second seal members, wherein the first member is attached to at least one of the sides, and wherein the second member is attached to the first member so that the ends of the first and second locking strips are captured and retained by the first and second members.
 5. The bug proof bag of claim 1 wherein the sides comprise a plastic sides.
 6. The bug proof bag of claim 1 wherein the sides comprise sides selected from the group consisting of nylon sides, polyester sides, Tyvek sides, and vinyl sides.
 7. The bug proof bag of claim 1 wherein the sides comprise first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth sides, wherein the first, second, and third sides comprise a first continuous sheet of material, wherein the fourth, fifth, and sixth sides comprise a first continuous sheet of material, wherein an edge of the second side is attached to an edge of the fourth side so as to form a first seal, wherein an edge of the third side is attached to an edge of the fourth side so as to form a second seal, wherein an edge of the fifth side is attached to an edge of the third side so as to form a third seal, wherein an edge of the sixth side is attached to an edge of the third side so as to form a fourth seal, wherein an edge of the second side is attached to an edge of the sixth side so as to form a first seal, wherein a first length of the first locking strip is attached to an edge of the fourth side, wherein a second length of the first locking strip is attached to an edge of the fifth side, wherein a third length of the first locking strip is attached to an edge of the sixth side, wherein a first length of the second locking strip is attached to an edge of the first side corresponding to the edge of the fourth side to which the first length of the first locking strip is attached, wherein a second length of the second locking strip is attached to an edge of the first side corresponding to the edge of the fifth side to which the second length of the first locking strip is attached, and wherein a third length of the second locking strip is attached to an edge of the first side corresponding to the edge of the sixth side to which the third length of the first locking strip is attached.
 8. The bug proof bag of claim 7 wherein the bag forms a generally box like structure have first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh, and twelfth corners, wherein the first seal forms the first corner, wherein a fold between the fourth and fifth sides forms the second corner, wherein a fold between the fifth and sixth sides forms the third corner, wherein the fifth seal forms the fourth corner, wherein the second seal forms the fifth corner, wherein the third seal forms the sixth corner, wherein the fourth seal forms the seventh corner, wherein a fold between the second and third sides forms the eighth corner, wherein a fold between the first and second sides forms the ninth corner, wherein the first lengths of the first and second locking strips when joined form the tenth corner, wherein the second lengths of the first and second locking strips when joined form the eleventh corner, and wherein the third lengths of the first and second locking strips when joined form the twelfth corner.
 9. The bug proof bag of claim 1 wherein the closure comprises the only closure of the bag.
 10. The bug proof bag of claim 1 wherein the closure comprises a first closure, wherein the seal comprises a first seal, wherein the bag comprises a second closure and a second seal, wherein the second closure has a slider and third and fourth locking strips, wherein the second closure in a closed state prevents ingress of bugs into the bag, wherein the second closure in an opened state permits access to an interior of the bag, and wherein the second seal seals ends of the third and fourth locking strips to the bag.
 11. The bug proof bag of claim 10 wherein the bag comprises a third closure and a third seal, wherein the third closure has a slider and fifth and sixth locking strips, wherein the third closure in a closed state prevents ingress of bugs into the bag, wherein the third closure in an opened state permits access to an interior of the bag, wherein the third seal seals ends of the fifth and sixth locking strips to the bag, and wherein the second and third closures are at opposite ends of the bag.
 12. The bug proof bag of claim 1 wherein the closure comprises a zipper.
 13. A bug proof bag comprising: a plurality of sides, wherein the plurality of sides includes at least four sides, wherein at least one of the sides is substantially transparent, and wherein the sides are non-porous so as to prevent ingress of bugs into the bag; and, a closure having a slider and first and second locking strips, wherein the closure in a closed state prevents ingress of bugs into the bag, wherein the closure in an opened state permits access to an interior of the bag, and wherein all of the sides, except for corners and the closure, are smooth so as to offer substantially no harborages to bugs.
 14. The bug proof bag of claim 13 further comprising a seal, wherein the seal seals ends of the first and second locking strips to the bag.
 15. The bug proof bag of claim 13 wherein the closure comprises a first closure, wherein the bug proof bag comprises a second closure, and wherein all of the sides, except for corners and the first and second closures, are smooth so as to offer substantially no harborages to bugs.
 16. The bug proof bag of claim 13 wherein the sides comprise sides selected from the group consisting of nylon sides, polyester sides, Tyvek sides, and vinyl sides.
 17. The bug proof bag of claim 13 wherein the closure comprises a zipper.
 18. A bug proof luggage bag comprising: a plurality of sides, wherein the sides are non-porous so as to prevent ingress of bugs into the bag, and wherein the sides are configured to encase a piece of luggage; a zipper having a slider and first and second locking strips, wherein the zipper in a closed state prevents ingress of bugs into the bag, wherein the zipper in an opened state permits access to an interior of the bag, and wherein all of the sides, except for corners and the zipper, are smooth so as to offer substantially no harborages to bugs; and, a seal, wherein the seal seals ends of the first and second locking strips to the bag.
 19. The bug proof bag of claim 18 wherein the zipper comprises a first zipper, wherein the bug proof bag comprises a second zipper, and wherein all of the sides, except for corners and the first and second zippers, are smooth so as to offer substantially no harborages to bugs.
 20. The bug proof bag of claim 18 wherein the sides comprise sides selected from the group consisting of nylon sides, polyester sides, Tyvek sides, and vinyl sides.
 21. The bug proof bag of claim 18 wherein all of the sides are plastic or vinyl, and wherein at least one of the sides is substantially transparent.
 22. The bug proof bag of claim 18 wherein all of the sides are plastic or vinyl, and wherein all of the sides are substantially transparent. 